Paul Randal Stay, 60, passed away November 24, 2016 in American Fork, Utah. He was born May 21, 1956 in Denver, Colorado, the son of Gary Eugene and Laura Callis Summerhays Stay. He married his sweetheart Diane Jean Pratt on September 21, 1984 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Paul graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He quickly gained a passion for learning about programming and computer technologies. He furthered his education at the University of Utah with a Master’s degree in Computer Science. Paul was extremely active in the LDS church. In his youth, he served an LDS mission in the Netherlands. He was always quick to lend a helping hand in the community.Paul did Computer-Aided Design for the Army Ballistic Research Laboratory for 12 years in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and 4 years at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. He most recently worked at Western Governors University as a Software Engineer as well as at the University of Phoenix as an instructor for computer programming classes. He was passionate about technology and learning as much as he could about the world around him.He was an avid fly fisher and was a member of the Stonefly Society. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed being in nature. He had a love of and talent for music. He had a beautiful singing voice and played the cello. He loved his family, serving in the LDS church, and watching BYU sports. He is deeply loved by his family and all those who know him and he will be greatly missed.Survivors include: his wife Diane; his mother Laura Stay; his children Erin (Ryan) Novak; Grant (Emily) Stay; Caitlin (Anthony) Richardson; Callie Stay (currently serving as a LDS missionary in the Japan Nagoya mission); siblings Carl Stay; Sandra Hughes; and Katherine Stay. He is preceded in death by his father Gary Stay. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork 31st Ward, 1340 North 100 East. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland and Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the American Fork 31st Ward chapel prior to the services. Burial in the Coalville Cemetery.

Good bye my dear friend. It was a pleasure working with you the past 7 years. I will miss your counseling, strategy sessions, and often misunderstood appreciation of music.

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Nancy Stay

11/27/2016 07:21:04 pm

Paul, I've known you now for about 37 or so years, even before I met and married your brother Carl. From the very first time I met you as a student in your teacher development class, you have been a mentor to me. Even more important, you have been like a wise and loving older brother to me. You had an amazing gift of making people feel welcomed, appreciated and loved, a trait you inherited from your father. You always were thinking of others, and seemed to have such an optimistic outlook on life. Thank you for being such a great example to me of a true Christian. I will miss you so much.

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Charlie Luerssen

11/27/2016 07:23:06 pm

Our love, blessings and prayers go out Diane and all her family at this time. Paul has made us feel like family every since Grant & Emily has been together. We have enjoyed most of the holidays in their home with them over the last few years. Paul & I enjoyed sharing our church stories as well as our children. Our family was honored to spend Thanksgiving will Paul during his last day. He was ever the kind host, carving the turkey, giving the holiday family prayer and warming all with his glowing smile. Our family will truly miss this wonderful man who could fill a room will his love & light that all might feel warm & welcome. God Bless you Paul and your family for the love & service they share with all. Love, Charlie, Beth & family

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Jyl Gilsdorf

11/28/2016 08:18:57 am

Sincere condolences on the loss to your family. Paul was a great person. Always had a smile, kind words for myself and the rest of WGU. He was logical and sincerely cared about his work and those he worked with too. He will surely be missed. May he rest in peace...

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Mitchell Rogers

11/28/2016 08:26:19 am

I will miss coming to work each day and working next to Paul. He has taught me so much. It won't be the same without him.

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Sandi Hughes

11/28/2016 09:19:53 am

Paul, I will deeply miss you my brother. There are no words that can adequately describe what I am feeling right now. I do know that you were dearly loved by so many and that you were the shining example of kindness, love and compassion. You left a magnificent legacy and your "twinkle" will carry on in each of our hearts. I love you.

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Joey Wainwright

11/28/2016 10:22:15 am

Paul was a mentor to everyone in the WGU IT organization. He taught me to stand my ground and to be a strong leader by example. He will be missed deeply by many.

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William Davis

11/28/2016 10:29:23 am

Thank you Paul, for everything. You were a great mentor and friend, and I will miss you and the example you left.

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Shayne Hudson

11/28/2016 10:30:59 am

I really enjoyed working with Paul. He was so knowledgeable and was very loving and professional. He will be missed.

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Santosh Lakkaraju

11/28/2016 10:43:58 am

You will be greatly missed, Paul. You were an amazing and considerate human being. Rest in peace.

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Doug Call

11/28/2016 10:45:54 am

Thank you for always being a teacher, willing to the take the time. You were an example of loyalty to people. You'll be missed.

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Aaron Albiston

11/28/2016 11:03:42 am

Paul was one of those men that I could talk to about Fly Fishing for hours and hours. I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and learning. You will be missed. My thoughts are with your family at this time, You will be missed by all. Rest in Peace my friend.

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Joshua Skains

11/28/2016 11:11:46 am

Condolences to the family. Having worked with him closely on several projects here at WGU, I got to know him. He was a good man.

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Amanda Curtis

11/28/2016 11:20:19 am

It saddened me to hear this news. Paul was always a wonderful man to work with, someone with a quick smile on his face and always something positive to say (as another person said above- he brought a "twinkle" to the office). I know he will leave a lasting impression on many of us here at WGU and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts go out to his family and I hope you have some measure of comfort in these hard times. We will miss you, Paul. May you rest in peace.

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Marley Vorpahl

11/28/2016 11:24:33 am

Paul you were one of the most incredible leaders I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I'm so fortunate to have been able to get to know you- you were such a pleasure to talk to and so grateful for everything. Your positive attitude and thoughtful gestures will be missed greatly. I will miss working with you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

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Narendra Pandya

11/28/2016 11:53:05 am

It is a very sad news indeed. Deep condolences on the loss to your family. It was great interacting with Paul at WGU. We will miss you. May you rest in peace.

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Will Veach

11/28/2016 12:12:55 pm

On the rare occasion that we car pooled, I appreciated your wit and straightforwardness. You were always so kind to me and my family. Condolences to your family.

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FAYE ECC;ES

11/28/2016 01:59:26 pm

Dear Laura - no mother should outlive her children. I can hardly imagine what a sad time for you, and of course for Paul's wife and family. I remember so many things about him as he grew up. What a choice spirit he was and how we will miss him. My love to all and prayers for your comfort at this time. Your cousin, Faye Eccles

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Katherine Stay

11/30/2016 12:58:38 am

Faye,
Thank you so much for your love and support. It is very much appreciated.
Kathy

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DJ St. John

11/28/2016 02:58:20 pm

My deepest condolences to the loved ones of Paul. I worked at WGU for almost a decade, having only left recently, and Paul was one of those few faces that I always nodded and said hello too. It got to a point where it was awkward not seeing him around, fist bumping in the hallway. I was very saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed by so many people, I am sure! Please reach out if there is anything that I may do! Rest in peace, Paul!

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Lance Wadman

11/28/2016 08:50:58 pm

Paul, you will be missed. I enjoyed working with you for several years, carpooling, and talking about Eastern Idaho. Thanks for the advice when I was dealing with some family issues. God Bless

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Rhett Bolton

11/29/2016 09:24:23 am

Paul was the third person I met at WGU and the one who interviewed me for my first position. He was always there if I had any questions, which I often did, and was great at providing feedback when he saw an opportunity for improvement. Simply put, he was a fantastic mentor who wanted the best for those on his team and around him. Though we had our occasional differences, I did, and always will have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Having overheard him receive several calls from recruiters who hadn't a chance talking him into leaving, I know he loved what he did and the mission of WGU. Paul, you made the world was a better place and we're forever in your debt. You will be missed.

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Will Slade

11/29/2016 03:08:36 pm

Thank you for all of your patience, mentoring, and wisdom through the years. You will be greatly missed on a professional and personal level by everyone who had the privilege of working with you.

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Dave Manwaring

11/29/2016 03:52:44 pm

My condolences to the Stay family. I worked with Paul on many different projects over the past 6 years. He was great to work with. He made a huge impact on WGU. And he will be missed professionally and personally by many of us here. May God bless and comfort you all till you can be with Paul again. :)

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Cheryl Richardson

11/29/2016 04:51:11 pm

Paul was a warm and patient man.I am so grateful that we got to know him. I am grateful that he and his wonderful wife, Diane, raised such a beautiful daughter, Caitlin, to marry our very happy son, Anthony. Thanks Paul and Diane for being so great!

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Kathy Stay

11/30/2016 01:12:31 am

Cheryl,
Thank you so very much for your sweet words. Thank you also, for allowing us to "have" Anthony! I couldn't ask for a better Nephew! (There are no such things as Nephew in laws where I'm concerned.) He's a keeper, for sure!
I can't imagine life without my brother, but I'm sure glad that he was able to have that beautiful day back in May, when your family joined ours!
Kathy Stay

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Jason Nitta

11/29/2016 10:41:25 pm

Paul was a wonderful man. His kindness and generous mentoring fundamentally changed my career for the better. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family.

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Kathy Stay

11/30/2016 01:30:58 am

I can't imagine life without my amazing, brother right now. He was just standing in the doorway with his cheerful, enthusiastic smile waving goodbye to Mom and I on Thanksgiving Day. He was wise, and kind. He could be stern, because I was his baby sister. But I never doubted he loved me. I will miss the times when we watched football games, and me being the complete emotional fan..always getting 100% wrapped up in the moment, he would say,
"Kathy, it's only a game."
Okay, Paul..
"Love ya lots!"

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Robert Taylor

11/30/2016 07:11:27 am

Paul was a great mentor when I first got started a WGU. He was great to work for and a good man. He was always so happy I will miss saying hi to him in the hallway. He will be missed. My prayers go out to his wife and Children. May the Lord bring peace and comfort you you all.

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Chris White

11/30/2016 07:53:45 am

Paul was an amazing man with a wonderful spirit. Having had some great one on ones with him I could feel his love for me even though I knew I was one of many under his stewardship. He had the capacity to share that light and love effortlessly. I hope his family can find comfort in knowing that to me Paul was as Christ-like as they come.

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Stan Gray

11/30/2016 09:06:01 am

I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity of knowing and being tutored by Paul. My work life has been filled with many leaders and associates ... Paul will always be one of my most cherished. His example as a person will always be a goal for me ,,, when I grow up I want to be like you. Thanks Paul

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Jackie May

12/1/2016 07:28:07 am

Diane
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweetheart Paul. We have never forgotten your family and have fond memories of our time together in Las Cruces. We enjoy your posts on Facebook. Just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
With love.
Brian, Jackie and family